Kim Joon Ho has released an official statement following gambling allegations.

On March 16, KBS’s “9 O’Clock News” reported that Cha Tae Hyun and Kim Joon Ho participated in illegal betting while playing golf. The next day, Cha Tae Hyun wrote a formal letter of apology and announced that he will step down from all of his shows.

Later in the day, Kim Joon Ho spoke up through his agency. Below is a full translation of the statement:

Hello. This is JDB Entertainment.

We apologize for the concern we have caused due to yesterday’s report about comedian Kim Joon Ho’s golf gambling. Here is Kim Joon Ho’s official statement regarding the issue.

Hello. This is comedian Kim Joon Ho.

Firstly, I apologize for causing disappointment and concern to many people with a shameful event.

Contrary to the reports about golf gambling, I did not play golf overseas with my colleagues in 2016. [The betting] was also simply meant to make the game more entertaining, and we returned the money [to its original owner] at the site after the game was over.

As a public figure, and as the big brother of ‘2 Days & 1 Night,’ I should have set a good example, and I am deeply repenting on the fact that I was not able to do so. I fully realize that I am responsible for this issue and have decided to step down from all of my programs.

Furthermore, I hope there are no more misunderstandings and falsifications about my younger colleagues who are working hard for their broadcasts.

I will work harder to become a person with a greater sense of responsibility.

Once again, I deeply apologize for causing concern to many people.

I apologize.

In accordance, a source from KBS2’s “Gag Concert” stated, “According to the producers, all recordings of Kim Joon Ho will be edited out of today’s ‘Gag Concert’ broadcast,” and a source from tvN’s “Seoulmate 2” revealed, “‘Seoulmate 2’ was scheduled to end on March 25, and because we only have recordings of Kim Joon Ho at the studio, we will edit [him out of] the remaining two episodes.”

Meanwhile, KBS2’s “2 Days & 1 Night” announced that they will make an official statement on March 18 KST.

Cha Tae Hyun To Step Down From All Programs; Apologizes In Formal Statement

Following reports that he engaged in gambling with fellow “2 Days & 1 Night” member Kim Joon Ho, Cha Tae Hyun has officially announced that he will be stepping down from all of his programs.

On March 16, KBS 1TV’s “9 O’Clock News” reported that Cha Tae Hyun had shared proof of his gambling through text messages in the “2 Days & 1 Night” group chatroom, which were obtained through Jung Joon Young‘s phone.

The report revealed that on July 1, 2016, Cha Tae Hyun had shared several photos of cash in the group chat and boasted, “This is the money I won from betting on our golf game.” Later that same month, on July 19, Cha Tae Hyun shared another photo of cash and wrote, “Today, [Kim] Joon Ho won 2.6 million won [approximately $2,293], and I won 2.25 million won [approximately $1,984]… this is the money I won.”

On March 17, Cha Tae Hyun responded to the reports by issuing a formal letter of apology and announcing his plans to step down from all of his shows, including KBS 2TV’s “2 Days & 1 Night.”

Cha Tae Hyun’s full statement is as follows:

Hello. This is Cha Tae Hyun.

First, I’m incredibly sorry…

Contrary to what was said in the reports, I did not golf abroad. We golfed together in Korea, thinking it was a fun game, and I returned the money immediately at the time. Although it was something we did for fun, after seeing what I posted in the group chat, I feel overwhelmingly ashamed. As a public figure who has received lots of love, I consider [my actions] to be completely unacceptable.

I’m incredibly sorry to my fans, whom I have disappointed through this matter, and to the viewers who have given their love to “2 Days & 1 Night”…

I’m truly sorry that the other members [of “2 Days & 1 Night”] will be negatively affected by my behavior. Therefore, as of now, I intend to step down from all of my programs.

As the father of a family, I’m extremely sorry to my children and to my family, and I will take time to reflect on my own actions. I apologize.

The producers of “2 Days & 1 Night” previously announced earlier this week that the show would be going on an indefinite hiatus following the news of Jung Joon Young’s investigation by the police for sharing illegally filmed footage of sexual activity.

Korea does not fuck around with their gambling laws. It’s interesting though, that they don’t also equate non-cash bets and gambling the same way? At least not publicly. What would the difference be if they had bet a $2000 meal instead of cash? They do that a lot on variety shows where someone ends up paying for the meal of the entire crew...is that not the same thing?

like it was said above, hidden camera laws should be much stricter than gambling laws. those cameras are violating women and causing psychological terrorism but sure, punish some guys who are only bringing themselves trouble and not the people around them

I think what they are doing is right though. Like didn't some member of a 1st generation girl group's case get sent to prosecution with the threat of jail time for gambling?

It might be a petty scandal to us but they were still breaking the law so they should be dealt with accordingly. If we downplay this don't we also downplay the prostitution scandal? Because in every post (at least on reddit and elsewhere) any time prostitution is brought up everyone wants to bring up the case of Amsterdam like its all good. As if the legalization of prostitution doesn't come with its own issues.

It is true that violations of the law should be taken seriously, I the part that makes this harder to understand is that loads of tv shows in Korea are basically built around betting. If they had bet buying lunch on the outcome of the game, they would have been fine.